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GALVESTON — Port Director Steve Cernak has been offered the position of director at Port Everglades in Florida, officials confirm.By Laura Elder The Daily News Published January 19, 2012

Cernak, could not be reached for comment late Thursday. But Roland Bassett, chairman of the island port’s governing board, confirmed Cernak was offered the job by Broward County officials. The Port of Everglades governing board must ratify the hiring of Cernak and is expected to vote on the matter Jan. 31.

As director of the Port of Galveston, Cernak earns about $201,550. The Port Everglades position will pay up to $217,484. Under Cernak’s reign, Port of Galveston revenues doubled, and Galveston became homeport to Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International vessels. More recently Disney Cruise Line announced it would begin sailing from the island beginning in September. Cernak replaced Kay Moore, who resigned in 2002. Moore left shortly after voters in December 2001 rejected a deal that would have deeded Galveston’s city-owned docks to the Port of Houston. Bassett said Cernak had been frank about his application to the Port of Everglades. The Florida port invited Cernak to apply, Bassett said. “He’s done a wonderful job for the Port of Galveston and we hate to see him go,” Bassett said. “They have higher revenues and more traffic than the Port of Galveston and it’s a step up for him. I wish him well.”

Port Everglades is on the southeast tip of the Florida peninsula at Fort Lauderdale, a city of almost 180,000 people. Last year, Port Everglades posted $139 million in operating revenues. The Port of Galveston posted about $25 million in operating revenues last year. Port Everglades saw 4,100 ship calls last year, mostly container, but also petroleum and cruise ships. This is a developing story. Read more in Saturday’s print edition.